My name is Krystle Rodriguez and I'm the founding owner and current operator of Hodgepodge Coffeehouse in Atlanta, Ga.  I had the dream of creating a community space for as long as I can remember. A space where people can go to simply exist or create or connect. The idea of what kind of space changed over time, but the idea was never far from my mind. I’ve built a burgeoning coffee empire here in the city, with two locations currently open and two more slated to open over the next two years.

 

I also created Leaven Kitchen, Darling Josephine, and The Hall at Darling Josephine, concepts that focus on connecting marginalized groups to resources and to each other. I understand people and community and have spent the last decade dreaming about and creating spaces that I've wanted to see for people like me, often overlooked. 

 

I opened my first business at the age of 27, Now, at 36, I have navigated the small business landscape, even being selected and graduating from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program, while simultaneously raising a family and facing some pretty gnarly health issues along the way. 

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